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Honda CR-V Vs. Subaru Forester

By Justin Cupler|April 8th, 2019

Small crossovers like the 2019 Honda CR-V and 2019 Subaru Forester offer small footprints and great fuel economy while also offering plenty of roominess. Which one is better for our Rochester area buyers? Continue reading to find out.

Exterior

The Honda CR-V went through its last redesign in 2017, which brought in a new, more mature look. Much like its sedan cousin, the Accord, this redesign included a flatter nose, a bolder grille with large chrome accent, and tons more. This made the CR-V one of the most modern crossovers on the market.

The 2019 Subaru Forester received a redesign of its own, but, like many Subaru redesigns, the changes are subtle. When you put the 2019 Forester next to a 2018 model, the changes become clear. They include new front and rear fascias, a redesigned hood, new lighting, and tons more. The Forester also boasts a longer wheelbase, but we’ll go over what that means when we talk about the interior.

In their base trim levels, the 2019 Forester and 2019 CR-V go in different directions. The CR-V boasts a handful of desirable features, including 17-inch alloy wheels, power mirrors, active grille shutters, LED daytime running lights, and more. The 2019 Forester is far simpler with its standard steel wheels, black manual mirrors, and other lower-tech features.

In terms of size, the 2019 is longer and taller than the CR-V, plus it has more ground clearance and a longer wheelbase. The only measurement the CR-V is larger in is width.

Measurement

2019 Honda CR-V

2019 Subaru Forester

Difference

Length

180.6 inches

182.1 inches

-1.5 inches

Width

73 inches

71.5 inches

+1.5 inches

Height

66.1 to 66.5 inches

67.5 inches

-1.4 to -1 inches

Wheelbase

104.7 inches

105.1 inches

-0.4 inches

Ground Clearance

7.8 to 8.2 inches

8.7 inches

-0.9 to -0.5 inches

Curb weight

3,307 to 3,397 pounds

3,449 to 3,558 pounds

-161 to -142 pounds

Advantage: 2019 Honda CR-V

More stylish appearance

Smaller and easier to handle

Advantage: 2019 Subaru Forester

Higher ride height for off-roading

More traditional looks

Interior

The 2019 Honda CR-V’s interior is not overly special, but next to the 2019 Forester, it is a bit more playful and stylish. Also, with its more horizontal lines and trim, the CR-V’s dash feels wider than it actually is.

The 2019 Forester shares its interior layout with several of its showroom siblings, so the familial ties are evident. While it may not have the fun nature the CR-V has, the Forester is more functional with its large volume and tuning knobs and shows off a fun side with some colorful accents on the Sport model.

In terms of features, the simpler 2019 Forester has more to offer in its base setup than the CR-V. Its standard options include a high-resolution 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, hard-wearing vinyl bolsters, and SiriusXM. The Forester also keeps the occupants inside safe with loads of standard active safety features, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and more. Most of these level of features do not hit the CR-V lineup until the second-tier EX trim.

Measurement

2019 Honda CR-V

2019 Subaru Forester

Difference

Front headroom

40.1 inches

41.2 inches

-1.1 inches

Front legroom

41.3 inches

43.3 inches

-2 inches

Front shoulder room

57.9 inches

54.1 inches

+0.8 inches

Front hip room

55.1 inches

58.2 inches

+3.8 inches

Rear headroom

39.2 inches

39.6 inches

-0.4 inches

Rear legroom

40.4 inches

39.4 inches

+1 inches

Rear shoulder room

55.6 inches

57.2 inches

-1.6 inches

Rear hip room

49.5 inches

53.6 inches

-4.6 inches

Cargo capacity (behind second row)

37.6 to 39.2 cubic feet

33 to 35.4 cubic feet

+2.2 to +6.2 cubic feet

Cargo capacity (second row folded)

75.8 cubic feet

70.9 to 76.1 cubic feet

-0.3 to +4.9 cubic feet

Advantage: 2019 Honda HR-V

Standard interior features match the CR-V

Plenty of bang for your buck

Advantage: 2019 Honda CR-V

Quieter, smoother ride

Much roomier cabin

Higher luxury ceiling

Performance

Small SUVs and crossovers are far from performance vehicles, and the 2019 CR-V and 2019 Forester are examples of this. The redesigned 2019 Forester loses its potent turbocharged XT trim and shrinks to a single powertrain option: a 182-horsepower 2.4-liter engine paired to a continuously variable transmission and all-wheel drive. This adds up to a sluggish 9.6-second 0-to-60 sprint time.

The CR-V has a pair of engine options, including a standard 184-horsepower 2.4-liter and an optional 190-horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. With the base engine, the CR-V hits 60 mph in 8.2 seconds, while the more accessible torque of the turbocharged 1.5-liter drops the sprint time to 7.6 seconds. The CR-V comes standard with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive is an option.

Like all Subaru crossovers, the 2019 Forester is off-road ready in all trim levels. Moving up to the second-tier Forester Touring adds off-road-enhancing goodies like X-MODE wheel spin limiter and hill-descent control.

2019 Honda CR-V

2019 Subaru Forester

Difference

Engine

2.4-liter 4-cyl

2.4-liter 4-cyl

Horsepower

184 hp at 6,400 rpm

182 hp at 5,800 rpm

+2 hp

Torque

180 lb-ft at 3,900 rpm

176 lb-ft at 4,400 rpm

+4 lb-ft

Transmission

CVT

CVT

Driveline

FWD (std.)/AWD (opt.)

AWD

0-60 time

8.2 seconds

9.6 seconds

-1.4 seconds

Towing

1,500 pounds

1,500 pounds

MPG City

25 to 26 mpg*

26 mpg

–1 to 0 mpg

MPG Highway

31 to 32 mpg*

33 mpg

-2 to -1 mpg

MPG Combined

27 to 28 mpg*

29 mpg

-2 to -1 mpg

Optional engine

1.5-liter turbo 4-cyl

Horsepower

190 hp at 5,600 rpm

+8 hp

Torque

179 at 2,000 to 5,000 rpm

+3 lb-ft

Transmission

CVT

Driveline

FWD (std.)/AWD (opt.)

0-60 time

7.6 seconds

-2 seconds

Towing

1,500 pounds

MPG City

27 to 28 mpg*

+1 to +2 mpg

MPG Highway

33 to 34 mpg*

+0 to +1 mpg

MPG Combined

29 to 30 mpg*

+0 to +1 mpg

Advantage: 2019 Honda CR-V

Significantly quicker acceleration

Better fuel economy with 1.5-liter engine

Softer ride

Advantage: 2019 Subaru Forester

Standard all-wheel drive

Better standard fuel economy

Off-road-ready options

Pricing and Features

The 2019 Honda CR-V is available in four trim levels — LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring — and their starting prices range from $24,250 to $32,750***.

The five trims that make up the 2019 Subaru Forester lineup include the base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring. Their starting prices range from $24,295 to $34,295.

2019 Honda CR-V Key Features and Pricing by Trim

LX: $24,350**

2.4-liter four-cylinder engine

CVT

Front-wheel drive

Electric parking brake with auto hold

Electric power steering

Active noise cancellation

Hill-start assist

17-inch alloy wheels

Four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes

Brake assist

LED daytime running lights

Two-speed intermittent windshield wipers

Power mirrors

Active grille shutters

Projector-beam halogen headlights with auto-off

Remote keyless entry

Intermittent rear wiper

Black-color door handles

Black roofline spoiler

Automatic climate control

Power windows with one-touch up/down driver’s side

Power door locks

Cruise control

Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel

Instrument-panel-mounted gear shifter

Conversation mirror with sunglasses holder

Floor mats

Rear-seat heater ducts

Cargo-area tie-down anchors

Cargo-area light

Steering-wheel-mounted controls

Six-way manual driver’s seat

60/40 split-folding rear seats

160-four-speaker audio system

5-inch LCD touchscreen

Bluetooth connectivity with audio streaming

Pandora

One 1-amp USB port in center console

Two 12-volt power outlets

Multi-angle rearview mirrors with guidelines

EX: $27,250**

All LX features, plus

1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine

Remote engine start

18-inch alloy wheels

Multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines

Auto-on/-off headlights

Body-color roofline spoiler

Body-color door handles

Tinted rear glass

Security system

Smart entry with walk-away auto lock

One-touch power moonroof

Fog lights

Variable-intermittent wipers

Heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals

Dual-zone automatic climate control

Keyless ignition

Retractable cargo cover

Power windows with one-touch-up/down front windows

Heated front seats

12-way power driver’s seat

One 1.5-amp USB port in center console

180-watt, six-speaker audio system

7-inch high-resolution touchscreen

Apple CarPlay

Android Auto

HondaLink

SiriusXM

SMS text messaging function

2.5-amp USB ports in second row

Honda LaneWatch

EX-L: $29,750**

All EX features, plus

Power liftgate

Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob

Auto-dimming rearview mirror

HomeLink Remote System

Leather seating

Four-way power passenger’s seat

180-watt, eight-speaker audio system

Touring: $32,750**

All EX-L features, plus

Rain-sensing windshield wipers

Hands-free power liftgate

Roof rails

LED headlights with auto on/off

Dual chrome exhaust exits

Navigation

330-watt premium nine-speaker audio system with a subwoofer

2019 Subaru Forester Key Features and Pricing by Trim

Base: $24,295

2.5-liter four-cylinder engine

Continuously variable transmission

All-wheel drive

Four-wheel disc brakes

17-inch steel wheels

Automatic engine stop/start

Black mirrors

Auto-on/off LED headlights

Keyless entry

Six-way manual driver’s seat

60/40 split-folding rear seat

Cloth upholstery

Multifunction driver display

Power windows with one-touch-up/down driver’s window

Steering-wheel-mounted controls

Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel

Overhead console with sunglasses storage

Dual front USB ports

Cargo-area grocery bag and tie-down hooks

Cargo-area under-floor storage

Automatic climate control

Starlink 6.5-inch infotainment system

Apple CarPlay

Android Auto

Pandora and Aha radio

STARLINK apps

SiriusXM

Magellan navigation

6.5-inch high-resolution touchscreen

Four-speaker AM/FM/CD/HD Radio audio system

Bluetooth connectivity with streaming audio

Adaptive cruise control

Automatic emergency braking

Lane-departure warning

Sway warning

Lane-keep assist

Rearview camera

Anti-theft system

Touring: $26,695

All Base features, plus

X-MODE wheel spin limiter

Hill-descent control

17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels

Roof spoiler

Body-color mirrors

Raised roof rails

Panoramic moonroof

10-way power driver’s seat

Reclining rear seats

Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob

Front passenger’s one-touch-up/down window

4G LTE Wi-Fi

Fold-down rear armrest with cup holders

Removable cargo-area tray

Six-speaker audio system

Automatic collision notification

SOS emergency service

Remote engine start with climate control

Remote lock and unlock

Concierge service

Sport: $28,795

All Premium features, plus

Larger front brakes

18-inch black-finish alloy wheels

LED fog lights

Mirror-integrated turn signals

Windshield wiper de-icer

Single chrome-outlet exhaust

Heated front seats

Sport cloth upholstery with orange stitching

Color multifunction display

Keyless access with push-button start

PIN-code access

Paddle shifters

Dual second-row USB ports

Automatic high-beam headlights

Limited: $30,795

All Sport features, plus

18-inch five-spoke black aluminum wheels with machine finish

Leather upholstery

Adaptive headlights

Halogen fog lights

Power liftgate

Dual-zone automatic climate control

STARLINK 8-inch infotainment system

Hands-free SMS text messaging

Blind-spot monitoring

Rear cross-traffic alert

Touring: $34,295

All Limited features, plus

LED fog lights

Satin-chrome mirrors

Eight-way power passenger’s seat

Heated rear outboard seats

One-touch folding rear seats

Two-position memory for driver’s seat and mirrors

Heated steering wheel

Paddle shifters

Navigation

Nine-speaker, 576-watt Harman/Kardon audio system

Driver-distraction-mitigation system

Reverse automatic emergency braking

Who Should Buy the 2019 Honda CR-V

Need a crossover that rides like a car and still has some off-road capabilities? The CR-V is right for you with its sedan-like drive, roomy interior, and upscale features.

Who Should Buy the 2019 Subaru Forester?

Buyers looking for a more off-road-ready crossover will fall in love with the rugged, high-riding Forester.

Is the 2019 Honda CR-V the right crossover for your family? Come test drive is at Garber Honda serving the Rochester area to get a little seat time in its. Right down the road from Pittsford and Henrietta, our new Honda dealership has loads of 2019 CR-V models in stock today. Can’t make it into our Rochester area Honda dealership today? Check out our online inventory, pick a few 2019 CR-V models you like and schedule a test drive for later.